Loose-leaf binder



Oct. 12, 1943. cs. H. DAWSON El'AL LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Feb. 6, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l w W M m m U.

Oct. 12', 1943. s. H. DAWSON EIAL 6 LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Feb. 6, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Geo/ye ff. Dew/50a Patented Got. 12, 1943 LOOSE-LEAF BHWDER George H. Dawson and John Potts, Chicago, ILL, assignors to Wilson-Jones Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Massachusetts Application February 6, 1941, Serial No. 377,591

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a loose-leaf binder and more particularly to a sheet retaining ring mechanism which has a pair of cover members impaled on the rings.

It is 'an object of this invention to provide a simple ring mechanism adapted to removably retain a plurality of loose sheets and a pair of cover members which may be rotated through an are approaching 360 degrees.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a loose-leaf binder capable of providing at all times a flat writing surface.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a loose-leaf binder with a plurality of latches adapted to securely retain the rings in closed position and which may be readily and easily released to permit opening of the rings.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the loose-leaf binder in open position:

Figure 2 is an end view of the structure shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the rings in closed position;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure3 showing the covers in closed position; t

Figure 5 is a side elevation showing the binder in closed position; and

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of the latch.

In the drawings, the reference numerals 2 and 3 indicate a pair of complementary hinge plates 7 connected by a hinge pintle 4. Each hinge plate has mounted thereon a plurality of ring sections 5 adapted to cooperate with each other to provide closed rings when the hinge plates are moved to closed position. Although it' is preferred to have the ends of the ring sections meet to form closed rings, as shown in the drawings, the ring sections may be staggered as in looseleaf binders of the type commonly called prong binders. In this case the sheet retaining prongs would be longer so that the sheets will be maintained against displacement when the binder is in closed position. The hinge plates are retained in this closed position by means of a plurality of latches 6 which may be pivoted to either hinge plate, as indicated at 6'. The latch is preferably made of one integral piece and is bent to form two leg portions 1 and 8 parallel to each other and spaced apart by means of a connecting portion 9. The leg 1 is extended and is provided with an aperture l0 through which the pivot 6' extends. The portion 9 is suiiiciently wide to permit the legs I and 8 to straddle both hinge plates when they are in closed position. The portion 9 has one end turned up slightly, as indicated at I! to provide a convenient finger piece by means of which the latch may be raised to release the engagement of the leg 8 with the hinge plate opposite that to which the member I is pivoted.

A plurality of loose sheets I2 and a pair of cover members I3 are impaled on the rings 5 with the sheets closest to the hinge plates. This arrangement is preferred because when the cover members are in closed position they conceal the hinge plates and give the binder a neater appearance. The covers and sheets may be rotated on the rings through an are approaching 360 degrees so as to enable the covers to be turned back upon themselves and to always provide a smooth writing surface for any sheet contained in the binder.

Although we have described one embodiment of our invention in detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of our invention; Accordingly, we do not desire to be restricted to the exact details of construction described, except as limited by the appended claim.

We claim:

In a loose-leaf binder, a pair of plates, a plurality of sheet retaining prongs mounted on each of said plates, the free ends of oppositely directed prongs meeting to form closed rings when said plates are in substantial faceto face relationship, said plates being hinged together along an axis extending longitudinally of said plates and lying outside the area circumscribed by said prongs, and a latch pivoted to one of said plates and engageable with said other plate to hold said plates in substantial face to face relationship.

' GEORGE H. DAWSON.

JOHN POTTS. 

